The Cook Islands.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rarotonga, April 23.

Personal.

The following residents returned to Rarotonga during February and March:—Judge Ayson, Mr. and Mrs. C. Mooney, Mr. and Mrs. S. Bennet, Mr. H. E. Everett, Mr. E. A. Reid, Mr. E. J.

Mathews, Mr. and Mrs. J. McKenzie, Mr. and Mrs. R. McKegg, Mr. C. Brookfield.

New arrivals included; —Mr. and Mrs. A. L.

Hill and Mr. H. Scott (staff, Messrs. A. B.

Donalds Ltd.). Master A. Mooney.

Among visitors are Mr. C. Brunner (U.S.A.), Miss A. Brian (N.Z.), Miss Bond-James (N.Z.) Miss Matheson (N.Z.).

A happy event took place at the home of one of our most prominent officials during the month, and Mrs. and Dr. Ellison are to be con gratulated on the arrival of a son.

It is with regret that we record the death of Mrs. Campbell, wife of Mr. J. A. Campbell, secretary of the Cook Islands Trading Company.

Mrs. Campbell died on February 6, at Tahiti.

Sympathy is felt throughout the group for Mr.

Campbell and his four young children.

Mr. E. H. R. Mitchell was admitted to hos pital on April 16 suffering a breakdown in health. Mr. Mitchell’s condition had been caus ing concern to his family and friends for some time, but it is now improving.

The indisposition of Dr. Ellison, during the early part of the month, caused some appre hension when it was learned that he might have to proceed to New Zealand for medical treatment. However, timely professional atten tion was rendered by the medical officer of the R.M.S’. “Monowai.” upon whose advice Dr.

Ellison discontinued work for some days. The community is pleased to see the doctor about again.

Judge Ayson (Resident Commissioner) was obliged, through illness, to give up office at tendance for some days. A press of events con cerned with the close of the financial year the commencement of the fruit season, and the re sumption of inter-island schooner services, com pelled his Honor to continue official work at the Residency.

On April 14, Judge Ayson left by the schooner "Tiare Taporo” on an official visit to the is lands of the Lower Group—Mangaia, Mauke Atiu and Aitutaki.

The Fruit Season.

The month of March has been a particularly bad one for the export of fruit from the Cook Islands. All that bananas fetched (ex ‘‘Mono wai” March 28) was from 7/- to 9/6 per case.

At these prices, it is certain that shippers must, in a number of instances, come out on the wrong side in their Accounts Sales.

Space for 17,500 cases of fruit (principally oranges) has been applied for on the R.M.S.

"Makura” due to call here on April 25. The “Makura’s” shipment will be the first cargo of oranges from the Cook Islands for this year.

Our Glimpse Of Phar Lap.

The tragedy of the death of our most dis tinguished visitor of January 2 last—the vali ant racehorse Phar Lap—went very deeply into the hearts of the people of Rarotonga.

Our glimpse of that fine animal was but a tieeting one—a mere peep at him. There he was in his loose-box aboard the "Monowai,” munch ing away, the very soul of contentment. Only his bleached bones will pass this route again on their way to a museum. Still, their home coming will, we sincerely trust, not pass un noticed.

Blow To Fruit Industry.

We had hoped that, with the arrival of the s.s.

"Kanna” from Auckland, about May 6, the circle of fruit export from these islands would have been widened by bringing into direct com munication with New Zealand, the islands of Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke and Mangaia.

News has now reached Rarotonga that the trip of the “Ivanna” in May is definitely can celled owing, it is stated, to the terrifically low prices realised at present on the Dominion mar ket. This is a smashing blow for the outer islands to receive at the very commencement of the fruit season.

From Aitutaki and Atiu, and possibly from Mauke as well, come the sweetest oranges of the Cook Group. Mangaia has both oranges and bananas to ship.

It is understood that all that could possibly be done to reverse the decision regarding can

oellation of the “Kanna’s” trip has been done.

Those who are unfortunately obliged to suffer the disappointment of not being able to reach the New Zealand market should not give up hope of a visit from the fruit boat in June when the market prospects may be more fav ourable.

Inter-Island Communication.

Although the “Kanna” has failed the group for the month of May, the two island schooners are busy moving about among the islands of the Lower Group.

The schooners re-establish cargo and passen ger communication amongst the islands them selves on the one hand, and between the is lands and Rarotonga on the other.

Whether or not the schooners will do any thing towards bringing fruit from the Lower Group to connect with the mail boats at Raro tonga, is not known.

Before proceeding to the Lower Group the schooner “Tagua” took a run up to Tahiti. Her arrival was urtreported for 21 days which caused some apprehension to he felt by the skipper’s friends at Rarotonga.

It transpires that the schooner was becalmed for several long periods on the way up. Calm weather is a tremendous trial for Captain Andy Thomson. He revels in the most terrifying storms—“a bit of a breeze” he terms them.